Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.

See also:

Anemia due to B12 deficiency

Anemia due to folate deficiency

Anemia due to iron deficiency

Anemia of chronic disease

Hemolytic anemia

Idiopathic aplastic anemia

Megaloblastic anemia

Pernicious anemia

Secondary aplastic anemia

Sickle cell anemia

Thalassemia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

While many parts of the body help make red blood cells, most of the work is done in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form blood cells.

Healthy red blood cells last between 90 and 120 days. Parts of your body then remove old blood cells. A hormone called erythropoietin made in your kidneys signals your bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. It gives red blood cells their red color. People with anemia do not have enough hemoglobin.

Possible causes of anemia include:

Certain medications

Chronic diseases such as cancer, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis